Nutty Squirrels
Encyclopedia
The Nutty Squirrels were a scat singing
virtual band
, formed in imitation of The Chipmunks
, that had a Top 40 hit in late 1959 with the song "Uh-Oh". The Squirrels actually preceded the Chipmunks on television
in an animated cartoon
, but with much less success.
musicians Don Elliott
and Alexander "Sascha" Burland, which they called the Nutty Squirrels.
Both musical groups featured the defining sped-up voices, but Ross's Chipmunks favored popular music while the Squirrels favored jazz
, particularly of the bebop
variety. Ultimately, the Squirrels made it to television first, in the animated series The Nutty Squirrels Present
(appearing in September 1960), but they were not as popular as the originals.
"Uh-Oh (Part 1)" peaked at #45 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart
, while "Uh-Oh (Part 2)" peaked at #14.
In 1976 Bob Milsap resurrected the act, at first with a novelty single based on the current CB citizens band radio craze, "Hey Shirley (This Is Squirrely)", followed by two albums (one a Christmas release). Due to legal reasons, his version of the creation went credited under the individual character names, Shirley and Squirrely.
In the 2007 live-action/animated movie Alvin and the Chipmunks
during the credits Ian Hawke (David Cross
) is trying to get three squirrels to sing.
Among the New York based session musician
s playing on these albums were Cannonball Adderley, (alto sax
), Bobby Jaspar
(flute
), and Sam Most
(clarinet
)
Scat singing
In vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with wordless vocables, nonsense syllables or without words at all. Scat singing gives singers the ability to sing improvised melodies and rhythms, to create the equivalent of an instrumental solo using their voice.- Structure and syllable choice...
virtual band
Virtual band
In music, a virtual band is any group whose members are not corporeal musicians, but animated characters...
, formed in imitation of The Chipmunks
The Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
, that had a Top 40 hit in late 1959 with the song "Uh-Oh". The Squirrels actually preceded the Chipmunks on television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in an animated cartoon
Animated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
, but with much less success.
Biography
After the Chipmunks' initial success in 1958, plans were almost immediately made to make them into an animated cartoon series. Unfortunately, there were some initial art direction snags (specifically with the character designs) and the show was delayed. This gap resulted in a race between the Chipmunks and an imitative group created by jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musicians Don Elliott
Don Elliott
Don Elliott was an American jazz trumpeter, vibraphonist, vocalist, and mellophone player. His album Calypso Jazz is considered by some jazz enthusiasts to be one of the definitive calypso jazz albums. Elliott recorded over 60 albums and 5,000 advertising jingles throughout his career...
and Alexander "Sascha" Burland, which they called the Nutty Squirrels.
Both musical groups featured the defining sped-up voices, but Ross's Chipmunks favored popular music while the Squirrels favored jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, particularly of the bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
variety. Ultimately, the Squirrels made it to television first, in the animated series The Nutty Squirrels Present
The Nutty Squirrels Present
The Nutty Squirrels Present was an animated television series that was inspired by characters from The Nutty Squirrels. The television series was produced by Transfilm-Wylde Animation, and aired for one season on first-run syndication in the United States with over 150 five-minute episodes in 30...
(appearing in September 1960), but they were not as popular as the originals.
"Uh-Oh (Part 1)" peaked at #45 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, while "Uh-Oh (Part 2)" peaked at #14.
In 1976 Bob Milsap resurrected the act, at first with a novelty single based on the current CB citizens band radio craze, "Hey Shirley (This Is Squirrely)", followed by two albums (one a Christmas release). Due to legal reasons, his version of the creation went credited under the individual character names, Shirley and Squirrely.
In the 2007 live-action/animated movie Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)
Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 comedy film directed by Tim Hill. Based on the animated series of the same name, the film stars Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson with the voices of Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and...
during the credits Ian Hawke (David Cross
David Cross
David Cross is an American actor, writer and stand-up comedian perhaps best known for his work on HBO's sketch comedy series Mr...
) is trying to get three squirrels to sing.
Personnel
- Don Elliott: vocals, trumpet, vibraphone, possible other instruments
- Alexander "Sascha" Burland: vocals
Among the New York based session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
s playing on these albums were Cannonball Adderley, (alto sax
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
), Bobby Jaspar
Bobby Jaspar
Bobby Jaspar was a cool jazz and hard bop saxophonist, flautist and composer born in Liège, Belgium. He was married to the jazz singer Blossom Dearie....
(flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
), and Sam Most
Sam Most
Sam Most is a Los Angeles-based jazz flautist and tenor saxophonist. Along with Frank Wess, he is one of the first jazz flautists. He was born on December 16, 1930, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He has a brother, clarinetist, Abe Most, with whom he has performed.Early in his career he played...
(clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
)
Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | The Nutty Squirrels The Nutty Squirrels (album) The Nutty Squirrels is a children's jazz album by Don Elliott and Alexander "Sascha" Burland, recording as The Nutty Squirrels.-Side one:#"Uh! Oh! Part-1" - 2:14#"Uh! Oh! Part-2" – 2:19#"Ding Dong" – 2:08#"Something Like That" – 2:08... |
Hanover |
| 1961 | The Nutty Squirrels Go Bird Watching The Nutty Squirrels Go Bird Watching The Nutty Squirrels Go Bird Watching is a novelty jazz album by Don Elliott and Alexander "Sascha" Burland, recording as The Nutty Squirrels.Cannonball Adderley plays alto sax on the song "Yardbird Suite" .-Side one:#"Bird Watching" – 2:41... |
Columbia |
| 1964 | The Nutty Squirrels Sing A Hard Day's Night and Other Smashes The Nutty Squirrels Sing A Hard Day's Night and Other Smashes The Nutty Squirrels Sing A Hard Day's Night and Other Smashes is a children's music album by jazz musicians Don Elliott and Alexander "Sascha" Burland, recording as The Nutty Squirrels.... |
MGM |
| 1976 | Hey Shirley! The Album (as Shirley & Squirrely) | GRT |
| Christmas with Shirley & Squirrely (and Melvin Too!) (as Shirley & Squirrely) | ||
| 1981 | Shirley, Squirrely and Melvin: Live (as Shirley & Squirrely) | Excelsior |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1959 | "Uh! Oh! Part 1" | 45 | — | — | — | The Nutty Squirrels |
| "Uh! Oh! Part 2" | 14 | 9 | — | — | ||
| 1960 | "Eager Beaver" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Uh-Huh + 3" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Please Don't Take My Tree for Christmas" | — | — | — | — | singles only | |
| 1963 | "Hello Again" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1976 | "Hey Shirley (This Is Squirrely)" (as Shirley & Squirrely) | 48 | — | 28 | 15 | Hey Shirley! The Album |
| "A Squirrely Christmas" (as Shirley & Squirrely) | — | — | — | — | Christmas with Shirley & Squirrely (and Melvin Too!) |